PROGRAMS

POPULAR PROGRAMS

Sexy Survivor (Workshop) (The HEAL Project)Join us for a creative and interactive dialogue around survivors of sexual abuse and how they have navigated safe, empowering sexually healthy lives. It is also a forum for partners and allies of survivors to gain tools in supporting sexy survivors. All too often, sex is altered, damaged and or complicated for survivors of sexual abuse. It takes time, patience and trial and error to figure out what works for us. This workshop is not a therapy session but a more of skill and strategy share. We hope to encourage success building and future dreaming dialogue as we all share stories and ideas of what has worked for sexy survivors.

The Evolution of the Talk (Workshop or Lecture) (The HEAL Project)Join us in examining sex ed as a lifeskill and tool to disrupting/ending child sexual abuse. ​At what age do parents discuss this uncomfortable but imperative topic? How do we re-construct the social narrative on love, sex and relationships to our children without fear or shame​? How do we engage with our children in their personal and social understanding of (acceptable) sex?

...And Action! Expelling Shame and Conjuring healing(The HEAL Project)Join in this interactive workshop to breathe, move, stomp, and act out. We will collectively hold space to express in a variety of ways how trauma has/is existing in our bodies. We’ll explore how to move, mold, walk with and release. This workshop uses theater techniques, visualization and movement to tell our stories and create collective healing from childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and trauma.

All of Me (Performance) A compilation of poetry, readings, skits and storytelling spanning two decades of memories and transformations

How to Speak Your Language of Sex, Love and Play (Workshop or Lecture) (P3)Negotiating consent is a phrase often left out of our conversations about sex. When we think of love, romance, relationships, sex and fucking, other thoughts and frameworks come to mind. Fireworks, cruising, a dozen roses, and unspoken chemistry are the cornerstones of navigating sex and intimacy. But in the real world, we know that getting what we desire and working to make a just and vibrant exchange within sexual dynamics doesn't just happen. We have to talk, discuss, negotiate and be held accountable for all of our desires – those spoken and unspoken. This of course is easier said than done in a world where love has many languages; where race, gender and class oppression abound and where many of us are recovering from trauma. Join us for a workshop on how to navigate the complex language of consent, safety and getting what you desire.

​Sexual Liberation? Living at the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender (Workshop or Lecture) (P3)This workshop will dissect the concept of sexual liberation, freedom and privilege— specifically how it interacts with race, class and gender. What does sexual liberation look like when we often witness a predominantly white, heterosexual, male-dominated, anti-trans culture? How do queers, poor people, transfolks, people of color and women get access to the privilege of desire and exploration? How does oppression show up in our bedrooms and between our legs? Join in this workshop as we walk through and dissect the obstructed path to sexual liberation.

Community, Spirituality and Ritual for Surviving and Thriving (Workshop) When thinking of “self-care” we often picture us going it alone. We aim to understand ourselves enough to know what is “right” and what is “wrong” for our well-being. The truth is, that sometimes we just can’t. Finding the tools, holding ourselves accountable and thinking outside the box can be challenging. Join Ignacio Rivera as we discuss harm reduction approaches and skill share how we incorporate community/chosen family, our beliefs and everyday practices in balancing our mental health one day at a time.

​The Future of Gender Queer (Lecture or Panel) (P3)As bisexuals have endured societal pressure to conform or choose, so have the Gender Queers. The Gender Queer, Fluid, Non-Binary, Gender Non-Conforming, Gender Variant existence continues to be a struggle (internally, inter-personally and Institutionally) in the world. Our existence has been muffled by the socially constructed rules of the gender binary within and outside of cisgenderism, deemed a pit-stop of confusion and uncertainty, ignored as valid by the medical industry and, (among other things), labeled weird. This workshop will re-visualize this existence, share stories and brainstorm what the future of the Gender Queer looks like, to us.

OTHER WORKSHOPS

Hooking Up: Power, Sex, and Consent (Workshop) (P3)This workshop will discuss the aspects of casual sex, F*ck buddies and one night stands. We will delve into the role of power for the players involved, negotiation, safety and what consent looks like.

Sexual Liberation for Youth: Living on the Path (Workshop) (P3)This workshop will focus on dissecting the concept of sexual liberation. What does this look like in a society that bombards us with sexual images but holds no accountability for education? How can we begin a process of healthy sexual lives specifically for queer/trans youth when sex is seen as immoral? We will discuss societal and internal barrier. We will cover our bodies and acceptance that must come in order to interact, communicate and be intentional with others. We will delve into the role of power for the players involved, negotiation, safety and what consent looks like.

Birds, Bees and Wolves: How to Use The Talk as a tool to End Child Sexual Abuse (Workshop) (The HEAL Project)At what age do parents discuss this uncomfortable but imperative topic? In a time where sex education in public schools is almost eradicated, how are young people obtaining these vital tools? What is age appropriate? How do we re-construct the social narrative on love, sex and relationships to our children? How do we engage with our children in their personal and social understanding of (acceptable) sex? Come together in understand the power of COMPREHENSIVE sex education for children and youth as a tool of power and a mechanism to combat child sexual abuse. Join this workshop if you have questions, want to share your sex-ed ideas or if you need support in the exciting, complicated but necessary tips on “the talk.”

​“S” is for Sex: Using Comprehensive Early Sex Talks as a Tool to end Child Sexual Abuse (Workshop) (The HEAL Project)As an out survivor of child sexual abuse (CSA) and sexual violence, I have grappled with the “S” word all my life. From, what is appropriate, to never saying “no,” understanding my own body, creating boundaries for myself, comfort with negotiating what I want, to undoing the shame. Most of all, I try to understand why I didn’t know anything about the “S” word until I was much older. Unfortunately, my story is not unique.The leading conversations about sexual assault/abuse is framed around power and control. The “act” has less to do with the “S” word and more to do with power. Whether we agree with this long-standing idea or not, we must agree that SEX cannot be eliminated for the conversation of SEXual abuse, SEXual assault and rape culture. The aftermath of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) or sexual violence has tremendous affects on sex(uality), our ability to form relationships and navigate safer sex.We live in a hyper sexual society that exposes sexual imagery but does not talk about it. Sex education in public schools has almost been erased. In our current system most of us form our sexuality in secret. It is in this culture of silence that sexual abuse is nurtured. Reframing the solution through a lens of comprehensive, intersectional sex(uality) education and open celebration of children’s sexuality will shift the role of power.Join me in dissecting this topic, share ideas, and engage in learning tools to use personally, interpersonally and institutionally. Talking about sex with young people at all stages of life, WILL help end CSA.

​Navigating Kink Within Oppression (Workshop) (P3)How does oppression play into our kink? As a person of color in the kink world, can we leave out some of our identities at the door? Are poor people apart of play parties/ kink world? Are people with disabilities seen as sexual beings? Why? Why not? Do kinkster operate in a vacuum? Is it possible to be kinky and not political? How can we respect one another and continue to navigate within the kink sphere? Lets talk about oppression baby!

Trans-Queering Your Sex (Workshop) (P3)Interested in a Trans person, gender queer person or gender non-conforming person? Wanna have fun and be respectful. Wanna experience "non-traditional" sex and desire that is not based on stereotypes? Well this is the workshop for you. Open to all sexual orientations and genders.

Kink 101 (Workshop) (P3)Do you know what kink means? Are you Kinky? Wanna be Kinky? Well, come learn and discuss the fundamental elements of the wonderful world of kink. This workshop will cover terminology, scene etiquette, negotiation, and basic play forms.

Playing with Roles: How to Spice up Your Sex life (Workshop) (P3)Join us in exploring fantasy and role-playing to enhance your sex life. Be anythingor anyone you want. Let go of your inhibitions and imagine.

Sexual Empowerment (Workshop) (P3)This workshop will dissect the concept of sexual empowerment. We will discuss this path that begins within. We will cover our bodies and acceptance that must come in order to interact, communicate and be intentional with others.

The Politics of Sex: Intimacy Power and Control (Workshop) (P3)This workshop will discuss the ways in which we are taught about sex and how rigged it is. We will discuss the dominant-culture model of sex, love and relationships. We will examine how to break those ideas down and expand how we are intimate with one another. This workshop will also go into intentionality, negotiation and safety.

​Dualism and Fluidity: How to Negotiate and Navigate Multiple Identities Within Your Kink (Workshop) (P3)Are you a little and a Pony? And slave boi and a baby grrl? Are your kink -identities polar opposites or fluid? How do you step in and out of them? Does your Master/Sir/Daddy/Trainer get it, respect it, and maintain each of your identities? This workshop is about naming yourself, your desires, negotiating boundaries, identities and or characters​